The Conference will be analysing the RWC 2011 and looking towards 2015 in terms of how to best prepare for qualification towards and/or performance during the tournament. The Workshop will look at how to best perform as Coaches of Match Officials at FIRA-AER U16/17 Camps as well as FIRA-AER tournaments and matches.

After the activities’ opening by Belgium Rugby Federation President, Dany Roelands, the Conference had presentations (via Skype) from IRB Analysts Corris Thomas & Rhys Jones on technical statistics from RWC 2011. Michel Arpaillange also looked back at the key points from the FIRA-AER “Stages Experts” (2007) which analysed the RWC 2007. The workshop which is running parallel to the Conference focused on the function of the delegates at U16/17 FIRA-AER Camps as Referee Educators.

Day 2

The Conference continued with Jon Callard (England) presenting on " Coaching Lessons for the RFU from RWC

2011". Kingsley Jones (Russia) then presented on preparation for and during the RWC 2011 and Richie Dixon

(IRB & coach for Georgia during RWC) on the "Relationship between Coaching Development and Union Structures & Processes". Michel Arpaillange also presented to the IRB Strategic Plan and how it is linked to High Performance & Development.

The Workshop saw delegates discussing the function of Commissioner at FIRA-AER matches and the performance reviewing of referees at FIRA-AER ENC matches. In the afternoon the workshop then focused on Match Officiating and Sevens as well as the role of Referee Manager at FIRA-AER tournaments.

Day 3

Day 3 saw presentations from Michel Arpaillange on RWC 2015 Qualification, Corris Thomas by telephone conference presented some statistics on the 2012 6-Nations, Jon Callard on Coaching Lessons regarding Kicking from the RWC, Alessandro Troncon (Italy) on their preparation for the RWC 2011, whilst Emile Ntamack also looked at this from the French perspective.

Day 3 also saw the coaches and match officials do a joint workshop on the 5 main refereeing principles and discussed the current issues with the Scrum.

Day 4

The final Day saw both groups bring together what they had taken from the Conference & Workshop and the Belgium Rugby Federation (especially Dany Roelands) was thanked for their excellent hospitality and support in organising the activities.